Political Paralysis in the Political Paralysis in the Gilded AgeGilded Age

1869-18961869-1896

A. Best and worst of American civilization---1870 to 1900

• Major events• Industrial expansion, inventors and inventions• Settlement of the West• Railroad = symbol of growth = distribution

system • Rise of a labor unions (rise of the factory

worker)• Rise of immigration• Urbanization (from farms to cities)

• Political parties took no clear cut stand on issues• Captains of industry influenced political

leaders• protect a laissez-faire systemlaissez-faire system and

capitalism..capitalism..

B. Examples of Corruption & “the Forgettable Presidents”

1.Ulysses S. Grant (1868-1876)–Presidential scandals

2. Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)- Ends Reconstruction!

3. James A. Garfied--1881---Republican•Assassinated by an upset spoils man--Charles Guiteau4. Chester A. Arthur---1881 to 1885---Republicans•Pendleton Civil Service Act--reformed the spoils system5. Grover Cleveland--1885 to 1889 and 1893 to 1897•Only Democrat---Serves two terms but not consecutive •Conflicts between business and labor.

•Formation of Labor Unions•Haymarket Riot•Pullman Strike

•Interstate Commerce Act--1887•Tariff of 1894

6. Benjamin Harrison--1889 to 1893---Republican•Four major laws were signed during his presidency:

•Sherman Anti-Trust Act•Sherman Silver Purchase Act•McKinley Tariff Act•Dependent Pension Act

                                                                                 

Two Different Worlds 1Two Different Worlds 1

“The Gilded Age”- book by Mark Twain; echoed the disillusionment with the time.

1861---------3 millionaires----------1900--------3,800 1900, 90% of wealth, controlled by 10% of

population.

Gilded Age Politics• Every presidential election was close. • House majority party changed hands 6 times

in 11 sessions 1869-1891.• few differences between the Democrats &

Republicans (agreed on economic issues).• Evenly organized= Elections competitive &

tight; turnout = 80%• Major differences= (ethnic & cultural) &

religiousA)Republicans- stressed personal morality

(Puritan influence), tend to be Protestant, from the mid-west & small-town NE, supported by Freemen & GAR

* Government should regulate moral & economic affairs.

B) Democrats- mainly Catholic or Lutheran, less stern view of human weakness, supported strongly in the South & northern industrial cities (ruled by Political Machines)

**The Spoils System **The Spoils System (Patronage)(Patronage)

The life blood of both parties. Became a contentious issue in the Republican Party in the 1870’s & 1880’s.

Stalwarts- Republicans who favored the Spoils System (led by Roscoe Conkling of NY).

Half-Breeds- Republicans who favored reforming the Spoils System. (James G. Blaine of Maine).

America After the Civil War1870- census- 39 million people; US is 3rd largest nation behind Russia & France.

Election of 1868– “Waving the Bloody Shirt”Republicans: nominated Ulysses S. GrantPlatform- continue Congressional (Military) Reconstruction• “Let us have peace”- Grant•Hometown- Galena, Ohio

Democrats: met at convention & denounced Military Reconstruction; party was split over monetary policy. •Wealthy eastern delegates= demanded federal war bonds to be redeemed for gold (most bonds had been purchased in greenbacks which had been depreciated).• Poor Mid-western delegates= The Ohio Idea (redemption of war bonds for greenbacks)= more money in circulation= low interest rates (wealthy eastern elite-redeem war bonds for gold)•Nominated former NY Governor Horatio Seymour who repudiated the Ohio Idea (killed chance to win).

The 1868 Campaign• Republicans- waved the bloody shirt; “Vote as You shot”•Grant won (214 to 80 electoral)- 300,000 more popular votes• most whites supported Seymour• ballots in 3 unreconstructed states (Miss., Texas, Virginia) not counted. •Grant received 500,000 votes from former slaves= gave Grant the advantage.

Electoral Map 1868

“The Era of Good Stealing” –Corruption in the Gilded Age

Most Business people & government officials conducted themselves with decency but…

1.Jim Fiske & Jay Gould- scheme to corner the gold market (1869)

• Conspirators worked on Grant (get Treasury to stop selling gold) through his brother-in-law (who got $25,000)

• “Black Friday” (Sept. 1869) Fiske & Gould bid the price of gold up= US Treasury had to release gold

• Congressional investigation= Grant did nothing wrong

2. *Tammany Hall (**William “Boss” Tweed) • Engaged in bribery, graft, fraud elections- swindled

$200 million from public coffers. • NY Times- 1871; published evidence against Tweed• Thomas Nast- NY Times political cartoonist; attacked

Tweed.• District Attorney- Samuel Tilden prosecuted Tweed;

Tweed died in prison (1873).

*Political *Political MachineMachine

• Organized group that controls a city’s political party

• Give services to voters, businesses for political, financial support

• After Civil War, machines gain control of major cities

• Machine organization: precinct captains, ward bosses, city boss

The Emergence of The Emergence of Political MachinesPolitical Machines

The Role of the Political Boss•May serve as mayor he:

•controls city jobs, business licenses•influences courts, municipal agencies•arranges building projects, community services

•Bosses paid by businesses, get voters’ loyalty, extend influence

Immigrants and the Machine•Many captains, bosses 1st or 2nd generation Americans•Machines help immigrants with naturalization, jobs, housing

Election Fraud and Graft•Machines use electoral fraud to win elections•GraftGraft—illegal use of political influence for personal gain•Machines take kickbacks, bribes to allow legal, illegal activities

Exposed for his corruption by cartoonist and

editor, *Thomas Nast

Tweed Ring fell and 1873 Tweed

convicted of embezzlement

Later Tweed was arrested on a civil

charge and jailed in NYC, later died

there

Election of 1872Republicans Re-nominated U.S. Grant (Henry Wilson VP)Liberal Republicans & Democrats nominate Horace Greeley (Greeley Finally ran as a Dem.)• “Throw the rascals out”•Liberal Republicans –oppose Grant/ corruptionEqual Rights Party – nominated Victoria Woodhull pres. And Frederick Douglas for VP •Grant Wins1872- General Amnesty Act- 500 former confederate leaders pardoned.•Congress-reduced high Civil War tariffs, passed mild civil service reforms.

Election of 1872

*Credit Mobilier *Credit Mobilier (1872)(1872)

•1860’s Congress authorized the Union Pacific & Central Pacific to oversee the

building of Transcontinental RR.

•Began in 1864- Union Pacific investors bought a construction company (Credit

Mobilier)

•Instead of hiring others to construct the RR, UP investors would pay themselves.

•Credit Mobilier charged the UP double the cost of the build- going into the pockets of the UP stockholders. (348% dividend)

•News paper & Congressional Investigations= 2 Congressmen censured & stories that the VP had

taken payments

*The Panic of 1873Causes: over speculation (too many risky loans) &

overproduction (too many miles of track, mines, factories, grain fields).

• 15,000 bankruptcies• Banks collapse• 2 groups Hardest hit- A.African-Americans (Freedmen’s Savings & Trust

went bankrupt= $7 million lost from black depositors.

B.Debtors= increase calls for inflationary policies.• Debtors wanted more Greenbacks to be issued

(1868- US Treasury had withdrawn $100 million in Greenbacks).

• Creditors wanted tight money policy (more Greenbacks withdrawn; or gold based money)= convinced Grant to veto a bill to print more paper money.

****The Currency IssueThe Currency Issue

CreditorsCreditors-people who loan -people who loan or have money to loan.or have money to loan.

Favor “Favor “hard moneyhard money”” DeflationDeflation Gold standardGold standardWhy?Why? Less $ in Less $ in

circulation=makes circulation=makes money worth moremoney worth more

Credit tighter/fewer Credit tighter/fewer loans/less competitionloans/less competition

More opportunities to More opportunities to consolidate/monopolize/ consolidate/monopolize/ acquire goodsacquire goods

DebtorsDebtors- people who - people who owe or borrow.owe or borrow.

Favor “Favor “soft moneysoft money”” InflationInflation Silver or “greenbacks”Silver or “greenbacks”Why?Why? More money in More money in

circulationcirculation Easier to pay loans/billsEasier to pay loans/bills Easier to get creditEasier to get credit Expanded jobsExpanded jobs More small businessesMore small businesses Less monopolies Less monopolies

Silver & Monetary debateDebtors- began to demand coinage of silver (soft or loose money policy!)US Treasury claimed that one ounce of silver was worth= 1/16 of an ounce of gold (silver actually sold for more in open market).• Silver miners stopped offering silver to federal mints.•1873- Congress dropped coinage of silver=“Crime of 73”- Congress formally stopped coinage of silver dollars.• Westerners (miners) joined debtors= attacked Crime of 73’.

“Contraction Policy” -Republicans•1874- Grant vetoed a bill to print more paper money. •1875 Resumption Act- US gov’t pledged to withdraw more paper money from circulation & redeem paper money for gold at face value.•Debtors began to demand coinage of silver & paper moneyValue DECREASED! ($19.42 TO $19.37)Political Backlash over Hard Money Policy• Democrats take the House 1874 & 1878

The Greenback Labor Party The Greenback Labor Party (1874-75)(1874-75)

Created because of the policies of Created because of the policies of the Republicans (contraction) the Republicans (contraction) (deflation)(deflation)

Polled over a million votesPolled over a million votes Elected 14 members of Congress Elected 14 members of Congress “Opportunities naturally exist for

the energies of all, but man's selfishness towards man has discouraged industry, by sanctioning for ages, through law and usage, the excessive value of money and interest, thereby causing deprivation and suffering to the many for the benefit of the few.”-Work for the Worker: Wealth to the Nation (Dupuy)

*Whiskey Ring (1874-*Whiskey Ring (1874-7575))

•A group of President Grant’s officials imported whiskey

•Used their offices to avoid paying taxes

•Cheated US treasury of millions.

•Grant’s private secretary involved (Grant wrote a letter to exonerate)

Salary GrabSalary Grab•Congress gave itself a raise, $5,000 to $7,500 annually.

•Congressmen received a retroactive check for $5,000, plus their raise……Became a political issue….Later

repealed.

Election 1876HOR-PASSED RESOLUTION THAT PREVENTED GRANT FROM RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM.

•Republicans nominated Ohioan Rutherford B. Hayes (185 electoral votes– 4.0 million pop. Vote)

•Democrats nominated Samuel Tilden (184 electoral votes—4.3 million pop. Votes).

**Ohio was a swing state –important to elections of the late 19th century.

Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes Samuel TildenSamuel Tilden

369369 total electoral votes, need 185185 to win.

164

1876 Election

•Tilden did not receive enough electoral votes.

•Special Commission

gives votes to Hayes.

•Hayes wins the election

•Democrats refuse to recognize Hayes as President

1876 Election

•Tilden did not receive enough electoral votes.

•Special Commission

gives votes to Hayes.

•Hayes wins the election

•Democrats refuse to recognize Hayes as President

*

*Disputed Electoral

votes

The Election of 1876 & *The Compromise of 1877185 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency (Tilden 184)4 states (3 in the South still under reconstruction) worth 20 electoral votes remained.• Both parties sent “visiting statesmen” to the disputed states of Louisiana, SC, & Florida. (all had submitted two sets of returns)• Feb. 1877- A commission of House, Senate, & Supreme Court members met= Democrats agreed to allow Hayes the victory IF: he removed US troops from the two states where they remained (SC & Louisiana).• Republicans promised Democrats patronage & support a bill for southern transcontinental RR.** RECONSTRUCTION ENDS--THE POLITICAL COMPROMISE SACRIFICED THE COMMITMENT TO BLACK EQUALITY IN THE South .

The Era of Jim Crow As the last of the federal troops left the South,

Democratic “Redeemer” governments began to take away the advancements that African-Americans had made since the end of the war.

• POLL TAXES• LITERACY TESTS• Grandfather Clause

1.Sharecropping system emerges- blacks & poor whites trapped in debt peonage through crop liens.

2.1890’s Segregation laws **(Jim Crow)- 3.Lynching –record numbers of blacks lynched in

the 1890’s.

Important Civil Rights ActionImportant Civil Rights Action The *The *Civil Rights ActCivil Rights Act of 1875-of 1875- guaranteed guaranteed

equal accommodations in public places; equal accommodations in public places; prohibited discrimination in jury selection- weak prohibited discrimination in jury selection- weak & not enforced.& not enforced.

*Civil Rights Cases*Civil Rights Cases (1883)- Supreme Court (1883)- Supreme Court ruled much of Civil Rights Act of 1875 ruled much of Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional; declared that 14unconstitutional; declared that 14thth Amendment Amendment prohibited only prohibited only government government violations of civil violations of civil rights, rights, not not violations by violations by individualsindividuals. .

*Plessy v. Ferguson*Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)- Supreme Court (1896)- Supreme Court ruled that states could have “separate but ruled that states could have “separate but equal” facilities for blacks & whites… (does not equal” facilities for blacks & whites… (does not violate 14violate 14thth Amendment- not discriminatory). Amendment- not discriminatory).

Class Conflict in the Gilded AgeClass Conflict in the Gilded Age**The Great Railroad StrikeThe Great Railroad Strike (1877) 1 (1877) 1stst major labor strike in US major labor strike in US

History.History. 1000’s of railroad workers involved1000’s of railroad workers involved Pres. Hayes sent federal troops to stop the strike (100 people dead)Pres. Hayes sent federal troops to stop the strike (100 people dead) Inspired other workers to strike from Baltimore to St. LouisInspired other workers to strike from Baltimore to St. Louis Failure showed weakness of labor movementFailure showed weakness of labor movement

Factors that contributed to labor disunityFactors that contributed to labor disunity Racial & ethnic divisions among workersRacial & ethnic divisions among workers Asian Immigrants vs. California IrishAsian Immigrants vs. California Irish 1850’s-1880’s Asians came to work in gold mines & Railroad1850’s-1880’s Asians came to work in gold mines & Railroad Asians took menial jobs, faced discriminationAsians took menial jobs, faced discrimination ““Kearneyites”- resented cheap Asian labor.Kearneyites”- resented cheap Asian labor. 1882- *1882- *The Chinese Exclusion Act-The Chinese Exclusion Act- prohibited immigration prohibited immigration

from China until 1943; 1from China until 1943; 1stst law to limit immigration! law to limit immigration! 1898- 1898- US v. Wong-US v. Wong- Supreme Court ruled that 14 Supreme Court ruled that 14thth Amendment Amendment

granted citizenship to all born in US- EVEN ASIANS! granted citizenship to all born in US- EVEN ASIANS!

President President Rutherford HayesRutherford Hayes

Elected in 1877Elected in 1877 Reformed the civil service, Reformed the civil service,

appointing qualified appointing qualified political independents political independents

instead of giving positions instead of giving positions to supporters.to supporters.

No Congressional support No Congressional support or from the Republican or from the Republican

Party.Party. Hayes did not seek a Hayes did not seek a

second term.second term.

President James A. President James A. GarfieldGarfield

1880 election, Republicans 1880 election, Republicans were split into 3 factions. were split into 3 factions.

StalwartsStalwarts defended the spoils defended the spoils system—Senator Roscoe system—Senator Roscoe Conkling Conkling

Half-Breeds Half-Breeds reform but still reform but still supported it– Senator James supported it– Senator James BlaineBlaine

IndependentsIndependents opposed the opposed the spoils system.spoils system.

Garfield wanted reforms. Garfield wanted reforms. His running-mate was His running-mate was

Chester Arthur, a Chester Arthur, a StalwartStalwart..

1880 Presidential Election: 1880 Presidential Election: Democrat CandidatesDemocrat Candidates

1880 Presidential Election: 1880 Presidential Election: Democrat CandidatesDemocrat Candidates

• Hancock was a Civil War Union vet

1880 Presidential Election -1880 Presidential Election -RepublicansRepublicans

• “dark horse” candidate JamesGarfield & Chester Arthur •Arthur was a “stalwart” & Garfield was a “half-breed”.

1880 1880 Presidential Presidential

ElectionElection

1880 1880 Presidential Presidential

ElectionElection

1881: Garfield Assassinated!1881: Garfield Assassinated!1881: Garfield Assassinated!1881: Garfield Assassinated!

Charles Guiteau, a “stalwart”:I Am a Stalwart, and Arthur is President now!

First Metal Detector- inventedBy Alexander Graham Bell to locate the bullet in Garfield.

Several attempts were unsuccessful in locating the bullet.

•Assassinated by an upset Spoils

man.

•Led to VP Chester Arthur

(Stalwart) becoming president

•Unlike stalwarts; Arthur

supported a change to the corrupt spoils

system.•Arthur signed into the law the *Pendleton ActPendleton Act also

called the Civil Service Actthe Civil Service Act.

**Pendleton ActPendleton Act (1883) (1883)**Pendleton ActPendleton Act (1883) (1883) Civil Service Act.

** required potential government workers take an exam to determine qualifications.

1883 14,000 out of 117,000 federal govt. jobs became civil service exam positions.

1900 100,000 out of 200,000 civil service federal govt. jobs.

* Significance- End of the Spoils System in US & led politicians to Look elsewhere for money- big corporations!!

Arthur Reforms: the Civil Arthur Reforms: the Civil Service Service

The 1884 ElectionThe 1884 Election

RepublicanRepublican- - James G. Blaine'sJames G. Blaine's nomination split nomination split the Republican Party (“the Republican Party (“Mulligan LettersMulligan Letters”- ”- “burn this letter”.)“burn this letter”.)

Republicans who could not support Blaine Republicans who could not support Blaine bolted to Democrats (“Mugwumps”) bolted to Democrats (“Mugwumps”)

DemocratsDemocrats- nominated - nominated Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland (reformer); mayor (Buff.) governor (NY); (reformer); mayor (Buff.) governor (NY); “Grover the Good”“Grover the Good”

Mudslinging – Cleveland was accused of Mudslinging – Cleveland was accused of fathering illegitimate childfathering illegitimate child

* “waving the bloody shirt” did not * “waving the bloody shirt” did not materialize- neither candidate served in the materialize- neither candidate served in the war war

Ma…Ma… Where’s my Pa? Gone to Washington ha.. Ha.. Ha.

•Pivotal election came down to NY •Blaine’s Blunder- failed to Repudiate a Republican clergymen who referred to the Democrats as the party of “Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion”- cost Blaine Irish votes in NY

•Cleveland won NY by @1000 votes

•Cleveland -1st Democratic President since Buchanan (1856)

Cleveland’s PresidencyCleveland’s Presidency1.1. Supporter of Supporter of “Laissez-Faire”“Laissez-Faire” government government 1887- vetoed a bill to provide seeds to 1887- vetoed a bill to provide seeds to

Texas farmers in drought stricken areas– Texas farmers in drought stricken areas– “Though the people support the “Though the people support the government, the government should not government, the government should not support the people” support the people”

2. Patronage- 2. Patronage- fired 2/3 of 120,000 federal fired 2/3 of 120,000 federal government workers to make room for government workers to make room for Democrats.Democrats.

3. Vetoed 3. Vetoed many Veteran (GAR) pension billsmany Veteran (GAR) pension bills4. Keep tariff low4. Keep tariff low

Grover Cleveland & the Grover Cleveland & the EconomyEconomy

1860- 1881- tariffs had been kept to high 1860- 1881- tariffs had been kept to high levels= annual surplus of $145 millionlevels= annual surplus of $145 million

1887- Cleveland appealed to Congress to 1887- Cleveland appealed to Congress to lower tariffs== provided a real issue that lower tariffs== provided a real issue that divided the parties for the 1divided the parties for the 1stst time in years! time in years!

Election of 1888Election of 1888Democrats- re-nominated ClevelandClevelandRepublicans- nominated Republicans- nominated Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison

(grandson of William Henry Harrison)(grandson of William Henry Harrison) Primary issue- Primary issue- the Tariff (Republicans raised the Tariff (Republicans raised

$3 million in political campaign funds from $3 million in political campaign funds from corporations- unintended consequence of corporations- unintended consequence of Pendleton Act)- Mark HannahPendleton Act)- Mark Hannah

Harrison edged out ClevelandHarrison edged out Cleveland

The Billion Dollar The Billion Dollar CongressCongress Republicans held on 3 more votes in the House for a Republicans held on 3 more votes in the House for a

quorum = Democrats could threaten to delay & hold quorum = Democrats could threaten to delay & hold up votes.up votes.

Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House (Republican- (Republican- Thomas ReedThomas Reed)- )- “Czar Reed” used his power to thwart the “Czar Reed” used his power to thwart the DemocratsDemocrats

11stst Congress in history to appropriate $1 million Congress in history to appropriate $1 million Spent money on: pensions for war vets, increased Spent money on: pensions for war vets, increased

purchases of silverpurchases of silver**McKinley Tariff**McKinley Tariff (1890)- raised tariffs to highest (1890)- raised tariffs to highest

peacetime level ever (48.4% on dutiable goods)peacetime level ever (48.4% on dutiable goods)• Hurt US farmers- buy expensive US industries & sold Hurt US farmers- buy expensive US industries & sold

products overseas (competitive & unprotected) products overseas (competitive & unprotected) • Congressional elections 1890-Congressional elections 1890- Rural voters gave Rural voters gave

Democrats a majority in the House- Democrats a majority in the House- ANGRY VOTERSANGRY VOTERS• Farmer’s AllianceFarmer’s Alliance –elects 9 members to Congress. –elects 9 members to Congress.

1892 Election1892 Election Grover Cleveland (Democrat)Grover Cleveland (Democrat) Benjamin Harrison (Republican)Benjamin Harrison (Republican) James B. Weaver (Populist Party-People’s Party)James B. Weaver (Populist Party-People’s Party)

Election demonstrated the DISCONTENT in the Election demonstrated the DISCONTENT in the country.country.

2 major labor strikes2 major labor strikes

Homestead StrikeHomestead Strike

Coeur d’Alene Silver Miners Strike- fed. Troops Coeur d’Alene Silver Miners Strike- fed. Troops crush the strike & kill miners. crush the strike & kill miners.

**The Populist Movement**The Populist Movement 1892- 1892- People’s PartyPeople’s Party ( (PopulistsPopulists) formed; Movement ) formed; Movement

by farmers to have their needs/concerns addressed. by farmers to have their needs/concerns addressed. **The Omaha Platform**The Omaha Platform: : free unlimited coinage of silver at rate of rate of 16:1 free unlimited coinage of silver at rate of rate of 16:1

(1 oz. of gold) ratio (1 oz. of gold) ratio Graduated income taxGraduated income tax Government ownership of RR, telegraph, & phoneGovernment ownership of RR, telegraph, & phone Direct election of SenatorsDirect election of Senators One term limit for presidentOne term limit for president Adoption of initiative & referendum Adoption of initiative & referendum Shorter workdayShorter workday Immigration restrictionImmigration restriction The “Australian Ballot”The “Australian Ballot” secret ballot secret ballot* NOMINATED * NOMINATED Gen. James WeaverGen. James Weaver for Pres (Green for Pres (Green

backer) backer)

**The Homestead Strike**The Homestead Strike (1892)(1892)

Part of a series of nationwide strikes in Part of a series of nationwide strikes in 18921892

Place: Andrew Carnegie’s Homestead Steel Place: Andrew Carnegie’s Homestead Steel Plant (NEAR Pittsburgh PA)Plant (NEAR Pittsburgh PA)

Company used 300 armed, hired Company used 300 armed, hired detectives (Pinkerton’s) to crush the strike detectives (Pinkerton’s) to crush the strike (10 dead;60 wounded)(10 dead;60 wounded)

US troops eventually joined in- strike & US troops eventually joined in- strike & union were broken.union were broken.

Election of 1892

Populist Party- tallied over a million Popular votes & 22 electoral votes •Industrial workers (Eastern)never rallied to Populist cause

• the South did not rally with Populists (race)= white voters Turned more to poll taxes & literacy test* Except in NC – Fusion Party controlled many gov’ts & cities; leads to Wilmington Riots- supposedly only Coup de tet in US history

• 1896- Populist lapsed into racism. Watson quote p. 526

l

Cleveland’s 2Cleveland’s 2ndnd Term Term Only President reelected after a defeatOnly President reelected after a defeatDepression of 1893Depression of 1893 lasted 4 years; the most devastating in the 19lasted 4 years; the most devastating in the 19thth

centurycentury Causes: overbuilding, over speculation, labor disputes, Causes: overbuilding, over speculation, labor disputes,

agricultural depression- free silver agricultural depression- free silver 8,000 US businesses closed in 6 months8,000 US businesses closed in 6 months Soup kitchens fed unemployed, hobos wandered Soup kitchens fed unemployed, hobos wandered

looking for worklooking for work Government had a deficit- Cleveland supported a bill Government had a deficit- Cleveland supported a bill

to do away with purchase of silver- alienated silverite to do away with purchase of silver- alienated silverite Democrats like (Democrats like (William J. BryanWilliam J. Bryan))

US treasury dropped to $41 million ($100 was safe)US treasury dropped to $41 million ($100 was safe) Cleveland turned to J.P. Morgan & US bankers ($65 Cleveland turned to J.P. Morgan & US bankers ($65

million in gold loan)- commission of $7 millionmillion in gold loan)- commission of $7 million 1894- 1894- Wilson-Gorman Tariff-Wilson-Gorman Tariff- did not lower tariffs; did not lower tariffs;

included an income tax on income over $4,000 (1895- included an income tax on income over $4,000 (1895- supreme court struck income tax down)supreme court struck income tax down)

1896 Congressional 1896 Congressional ElectionsElections

Republicans regain control of the Republicans regain control of the HouseHouse

Stage is set for class conflict in 1896 Stage is set for class conflict in 1896 (debtors, farmers, industrial worker (debtors, farmers, industrial worker v. rich for control of government. v. rich for control of government.

Wizard of Oz allegory Wizard of Oz allegory

Populists? Rural hicks resisting Populists? Rural hicks resisting progress or Pure, Progressive progress or Pure, Progressive

grassroots movement?grassroots movement? Little country Little country

businessmenbusinessmen Resisted progressResisted progress Prejudiced against Prejudiced against

blacks, urbanization,blacks, urbanization,

Immigrants, East, Immigrants, East, modernitymodernity

Backwoods-anti-Backwoods-anti-intellectualintellectual

Petty politiciansPetty politicians New “plutocratic New “plutocratic

class’class’ Anti- businessAnti- business Pro-labor, farmer, Pro-labor, farmer,

reformreform Defiant of Wall StreetDefiant of Wall Street Last real popular Last real popular

movement in US movement in US History?History?